Pied Sparrow

[wagga]

A friend of mine has let me photograph his free flight aviary today. I tried to get a close up photo of his sparrows, as they are very shy this was impossible. I did snap a couple of long range shots. The pied hen is paired up with a normal cockbird. Last year they produced 2 chicks both cocks. This season 1st nest 2 chicks and rebuilding at this moment. All the chicks have light/white legs. Note that these birds are not for sale.

Just for interest this aviary is about 10m x 20m x 8m which is lightly planted and no roofing. The birds are feed a basic seed diet, peas and corn, no live food or supplements. The aviary houses gouldians, cubans, tricolour nuns, jacarinis, gold finches, and a very large colony, 70 plus, madagascan weavers. Yes thats right at least 70 weavers. At this moment I counted 14 weaver nests not including other bird nests.

[wagga]

Sorry, Here is some photos,
http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad93 ... rds038.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad93 ... rds028.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad93 ... rds035.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad93 ... rds033.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Tintola]

WOW That is one mother of an aviary! That hen sparrow is very heavily pied.

[wagga]

Its bigger than my house and backyard. The amazing thing is there no protection from the elements except for a small aviary on the side used for seed, as a catching cage and nest boxes for the gouldians. Yes the hen is well marked I initially did not recognise her as a sparrow.